Methods of Religions Instruction in Asiatic and Egyptian National Schools

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIX, 3 July 1914, Page 4

Methods of Religions Instruction in Asiatic and Egyptian National Schools

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—The methods in vogue to day for imparting religious' instruction in the National Schools in the East are worthy of note at this lime:— India: The. Mysore Government has just adopted a scheme for the introduction of moral and religious instruction in the State Schools and. Colleges, by which Hindu, Mohammedan ,and Christian pupils may be taught in thejc- respective religions, provided their number is not less than twenty in each case. • China; Religious books are the basis of The four books and the five classics . composing their sacred literature are about equal to bulk to the old and new testaments. Their contents relate wholly to external forms of conduct. These sacred texts are the production of Confucius (651 BO} and bis followers and form the basis of the fundamental religion of the : -Chinese Confucianism, The Oonfucian precepts the proper conduct of children are emphasised. The work of the school consists in the mastery of these language forms; second, in committing to memory the saored texts; third, in the study of almost innumerale commentaries on these texts, for the purpose of developing a literary style, similar to that of the Saored Writings. Gonfuoins exhorted men and nations to righteousness and to walk in the paths of virtue. Egypt' Nine-tenths of the population of Egypt are Moslem. In Government schools ona hour a day, or five hours a week are required for studies in the Koran. The teachers are Moslem. Scholars are taught the necessity of religion to man At seven years of age a Mohammedan boy commences to learn by heart the Koran, and the process is continued with his years. It has been stated , recently that the Egyptian Government has purchased a number of Bibles to be used in the schools, Japan: In all educational institutions in Japan, from universities down to primacy schools, the directors and head* masters respectively ''read the following Imperial Rescript on education which is looked up to as the one Japanese morality In it His Majesty instructs bis subjects to be filial to their parents; affectionate to their brothers and sisters; as friends to be true; to bear tnemselves in modesty and moderation; to extend their benevolence to all; to pursue learning and cultivate arts, and thereby develop intellectual faculties and perfect moral powers; furthermore to advance public good and promote common interests; always to respect the Constitution and observe the laws; and if emergency should arise to offer themselves courageously to the State and thus guard .and maintain the prosperity of the Imperial Throne ooeval heaven and earth, lam eto, S. Pearson. 858, Cnba Street, Wellington, Ist July, 1914.